Join Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton on October 27 at 7:00 pm (CDT) for a live webcast that will explore ecumenical and interreligious witness on the eve of the Reformation anniversary. 

• What was the Reformation, and what does it mean for Lutherans and ecumenical partners? 
• What is "Declaration of the Way," and why is it significant for Lutheran-Catholic relations?
• What might ecumenical and interreligious relationships look like in the future, and what does this mean for our faith community? 

You are also encouraged to view the webcast with your congregation, group, or committee. This may help conversation as you plan for and discuss your observation of the Reformation in 2017.

The story of Advent is a story of hunger - a people's hunger for salvation, the fleeing holy family's hunger for safety, and the world's hunger for a new dawn. It is a season when we await the one who will "give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death" (Luke 1:79a).

This Advent, we invite you to journey with ELCA World Hunger through the Scripture readings for this season. This study takes us through each week of Advent with devotions based on the lectionary, questions for reflection, prayers, and hymn suggestions. The study can be used as a guide for worship, adult study forums, or personal devotions at home. 

• Study
• Calendar
• World Hunger Map Poster

The U.S. Department of Labor has adopted new overtime regulations under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), which go into effect on December 1, 2016. Among other changes, these regulations increase the minimum salary for exempt employees from $23,000 to $47,476. 

Many congregations, synods, and other ministries of the church have questions about how this impacts their employees and ministries. Does it apply to churches? What about pastors? Youth workers? Sextons? How about schools or camps?

On October 18 at 12:00 pm, join a free webinar that will discuss how the new regulations will affect religious institutions and answer many of the questions you may have. Register for the free webinar by October 14.

Spirit of Joy in The Woodlands is hosting Pedro Veliz Marquez, retired from Lutheran World Relief. Prior to his retirement he served as Regional Representative in the Andean Region, where he worked with communities and partners throughout Latin America to bring end to poverty, injustice, and human suffering in the region. Pedro will share how his faith guides him in his mission. On October 1 at 6:30 pm are welcome to come  learn about the work and ministry of Lutheran World Relief and the Lutheran Church in Peru. 

The Godly Play Fall Workshop will be held on October 8 from 8:30 am to 1:00 pm at Covenant in Houston. The workshop will feature how to set up a Godly Play room and understanding the space and teacher roles. Cost is $30 per person, which includes lunch. For more information, please contact Rev. Karin Liebster. 

Memorial in Texas City will be hosting their 16th Annual Oktoberfest by the Bay on October 8 from 11:00 am to 6:00 pm, which will feature face painting, moonwalk, vendors, food, silent auction, arts and crafts, and much more. Please contact Sylvia for more information for vendors, 409.945.4052.

You're invited! Share your passion for changing lives and spread the joy of good stewardship with other women of faith. On October 9 from 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm Lord of Life in The Woodlands is hosting a WomenGive inFaith Retreat. Refreshments and lunch will be provided. Celebrate the power of women's giving and leadership to change the world. 

Salem in Houston is hosting a Mercy and Justice Speaker Series that explores parts of the criminal system. On October 9 at 4:00 pm, the series will include speaker Dr. Regenia Hicks on " Lifting the Fallen, Restoring the Broken, Healing the Hurt" about Harris County's Mental Health Jail Diversion Program. Come learn about why so many mentally ill people are in the system, what Harris County is doing to help them, and what communities of faith can do to help. Please RSVP for the dinner by email or calling 713.723.3509. A $5 donation is suggested. 

Enjoy God's creation while riding around Galveston Bay. Join the Lutherans Restoring Creation Team for Bike Around the Bay on October 15 & 16. To join the team or support this effort, please contact Lisa Brenskelle. 

Christ the King in Houston is hosting a book discussion, from October 19 - November 30 at 6:00 pm, on "Food for Life, The Spirituality and Ethics of Eating." In six sessions, attendees will discuss the seven chapters. Jung's thoughtful and enlightening consideration of hunger, food, eating, sharing, and the current global food production and distribution system offers the hungry Christian a feast of ideas and practical suggestions for working towards the ideal of eating to the glory of God. 

The #decolonizeLutheranism movement is hosting their first conference and public gathering, #decolonize16, of people in Chicago on October 22 from 9:00 am to 9:00 pm. The all-day meeting will be a mixture of worship, testimony, laughter, banter, fellowship, and love.

On October 22, Holy Comforter is hosting their Kingwood Oktoberfest, featuring authentic German food, polka music, games, and beer from 12:00 pm to 5:00 pm. Admission is $5 for adults and $1 for children under 18. Proceeds will help support church ministries. 

Prospective Masters and Advanced Studies students are encouraged to attend LSTC's Fall Seminary Sampler on October 23 - 25. Participants will explore how church, world, faith, and their story intersect at LSTC by meeting with current students and faculty, sitting in on classes, and experiencing what life is like as a seminarian in Hyde Park. 

On October 27, join Interfaith Ministries: Dinner Dialogues, further exploring Houston's faiths with your Muslim neighbors. The dinners will be hosted in mosques throughout Houston. Tickets are $20 per person. Read more.

Celebrate the Reformation with a good ol' hymn sing. We'll make a joyful noise, and enjoy some tasty brews on October 30 at Saint Arnold Brewing Co. All proceeds benefit mission starts within the Gulf Coast Synod. Tickets are $25 per person. Read more.

The Lutherans Restoring Creation Team hosts regular, monthly web meetings on a variety of topics, both purely environmental as well as theological. 

The October meeting will take place on Sunday, October 30 at 7:00 pm with discussion centered around Theology of Earthkeeping. Please contact Lisa Brenskelle if you are interested in participating. 

The Region 4 ELCA World Hunger and Global Mission Consultation is a great opportunity for synod leaders in world hunger and global mission to meet with one another. This gathering will also feature a focus on AMMPARO, developing ways to strengthen congregational and synodical participation. 

This annual gathering, on November 18 - 20 in Leavenworth, Kansas, creates a space to share in the mission of our work together throughout our region. 

You are invited to a night of food, fellowship and fun at Acts of Wisdom's first dinner gala on November 19 at the Sterling Country Club in Houston. There will be music, a silent auction, and the latest updates on Acts of Wisdom's work in Ethiopia. Cost is $80 per plate. All proceeds help support expanding the work in bringing quality education to children in rural Ethiopia.

Retired rostered leaders, spouses, widows, and widowers within our synod are cordially invited to our annual luncheon on November 29 at Living Word in Katy. Please RSVP to the synod office by email, website, or calling 281.873.5665.

Maybe you've just learned that your congregation is going to sponsor a refugee family or your new neighbors are immigrants from Central America. Perhaps you just want fresh ways to learn about other cultures and better connect with others. LIRS has pulled together these resources and activities to help you promote a culture of welcome in your community.

1. Learn about another country and culture
2. Pick up a new language
3. Celebrate Refugee Sunday
4. Be an advocate

Spirit of Joy in The Woodlands is looking for a talented musician for a regular Sunday morning gig, who is capable of accompanying and leading a group in song and understands the particular joys and challenges with music in worship. 

	ELCA World Hunger: Shobi's Table

Fellowship, a nutritious meal, and a time of prayer are offered weekly at Shobi's Table - a food truck that serves people experiencing homelessness in St. Paul. Meet the team at Shobi's Table as they feed and are fed by sisters and brothers. This ministry is supported in part by ELCA World Hunger.